No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Sc.U.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1998.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Sc.U.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Sc.U.R.P)-University of Natal, Durban, 1995.

Over the past decade the construction of shacks on fonnally developed residential sites within the predominantly african residential townships of South Africa have been increasing in number. These infonnal structures have become commonly known as backyard shacks and have been constructed, mainly by the urban poor, in response, inter-alia, to the restrictions and difficulties placed upon them by the policies of the past government, in respect to access to land and housing. Research on this housing option is limited and has unfortunately either concentrated on quantifying the extent of the development or has been overshadowed by investigation and debate on other methods of infonnal housing. Therefore this dissertation sets about, by reason of research in Umlazi (one of the largest, predominantly african townships within South Africa), to contextualise, identify and place firmly on the agenda, the issues and needs of the backyard shack residents. In support thereof, a review of the spatial development of backyard shacks over the past decade in Umlazi, is also provided. From this study it has then been possible to fonnulate recommendations for housing policy and town planning so as to address these issues and needs. With specific reference, as this dissertation recognises the extent of the housing crisis and the role that backyard shacks play in providing shelter for the urban poor within the urban centres of the country and hence the likely pennanency of this housing option; recommendations, including the densification of the urban centres as a means of providing land for housing, the fonnalisation of the backyard shack as a secondary dwelling unit, the re-defming of subsidies in relation thereto and the delivery of services, are put forward. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1996.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

This study, Women's participation in housing delivery in South Africa: the extent of empowerment in post 1994 era, with specific reference to case studies in KwciZulu-Natal, begins with the premise that post-apartheid housing policies, compared to those of the apartheid era, have provided women with greater access to housing. In 1994 the housing backlog was estimated to be about 3.5 million units, with the majority of those in need of shelter being African women. This backlog was due to past policies that largely excluded women from ownership and access to capital or resources to build formal housing. The changes wrought by the democratic dispensation, such as constitutional provision for gender equality, promised women greater participation in the social , political and economic spheres of the country. The recognition of gender equality and housing as rights protected within the constitution was reinforced by pronouncements in various policy documents, such as the housing White Paper that underlined the need for women's involvement in shelter development. The aims of this study are to examine women's participation in housing delivery and to assess the extent of empowerment arising from their involvement in post-1994 housing development. The emphasis in this study on empowerment arises from the fact that housing development.is set within a participatory and empowerment paradigm in the current housing policy. The study discusses participation in "shelter" as embodied in notions of self-help and as appl ied by implementing agencies such as the World Bank, local government municipals and non-governmental organisations. The analysis indicates that to understand women's role in the housing process, there is a need to move beyond the project approach used by implementing agencies, to a multi-relational approach that focuses on the relationships, processes, and levels of involvement at the implementation and post-implementation stages. The scope of empirical material is confined to KwaZuluNatal , although South African national past and present policy is analysed in the earl y chapters. The question this study raises is whether women will be able to make substantial improvements to the core structure provided through the subsidy, due to their weak economic position. Through a gender analysis of the participation process, the study sheds light on women's roles and examines the extent to which women, in particular, have been empowered. Both qualitative and quantitative research instruments were employed to gather data on women's involvement in housing development in the KwaZulu-Natal region chosen for the case studies. The specific areas studied were Nthutukoville, Glenwood II and Thembalihle in Pietermaritzburg and Luganda and Ezilweleni in Durban. The findings of this study show that women were involved at various levels in the housing delivery process and at varying degrees. The findings of this study yielded different levels of participation which were taken to be indicators of the level of empowerment. These were for instance, decision-making, implementation, post-implementation activities and small business development. In all the areas studied, all the top leadership positions were held by men; in the lower levels the gender representation was equal. In two areas, women played a central role in decision-making and this appears to have been influenced by the high level of consultation with the community. In three areas, women played a marginal role in decision-making, an issue that appears to have been influenced by their roles in the household as well as the influence of the local authorities in the projects. In all the areas except one, women held their stereotypical position of secretary. Where they held the position of treasurer, it was based on the stereotypical notion that they were more trustworthy in money matters than men. The representation of women in decision-making did not challenge the gender ideology that entrenches their subordination, an area that has to be addressed in housing projects if women are to take control of their lives. Few women compared to men were trained in construction. The reasons for this point to both a strong male bias as well as societal attitudes about gender roles in society. Both men and women learnt skills such as plumbing, plastering, and painting, on the job through their involvement in providing labour. The role of women in housing delivery extended to the post-implementation level where they were involved in urban greening and microenterprises. Women were also involved in the production and distribution of bricks in three communities but they did not benefit from selling to the subsidy beneficiaries, a situation that calls for government support of their activities through the awarding of supply contracts. The elements of these indicators point to the level of women's empowerment as shown in the areas studied. These indicators combined to form what this study refers to as the multi-relational linkages approach to women's participation in shelter delivery. Although various factors are shown to constrain women's involvement at the different levels, the model highlights the role of women and the sustainability of their empowerment as well as the gaps, and points to ways in which these can be addressed. This study therefore recommends the adoption of the multi-relational linkages approach in understanding women's empowerment in shelter delivery and future policy framing . The conclusion argues that women's participation in shelter development cannot be understood by examining their role in one aspect of delivery; the role of women in various aspects is what constitutes their empowerment. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

The post-1994 era saw a deluge of housing legislation designed to shake the foundations of repressive Apartheid housing policy. Regrettably, the social housing sector began operating without the support of relevant legislation to guide social housing delivery. Institutional arrangements for social housing only came into effect in the late 2000s. This study sought to evaluate the institutional arrangements for social housing to assess why they have failed to deliver adequate social housing output to satisfy the latent demand on the market. Therefore, the study sought to assess whether the limited delivery of social housing was a result of institutional inertia in the planning, provision and management of social housing in eThekwini Municipality post-1994. Qualitative information on institutional arrangements for social housing was sourced through semi-structured interviews conducted with key informants involved in social housing development in eThekwini Municipality. The information gathered from the interviews was analysed using thematic analysis. After analysing the information, it was discovered that disjointed institutions have contributed to inadequate social housing whose shortage should be viewed not as primarily an issue relating to limited supply and excessive demand, but as reflective of the underlying institutional power struggles arising from the ad hoc and silo process of implementing social, land and economic policies. Therefore, the research concluded that the social housing sector would continue to deliver inadequate social housing output unless a supra-institution that integrates social, economic and land policies is enacted. To maximise the allocation and use of land and financial resources needed for social housing delivery, the intent of the legislations within the institutional arrangements for social housing must be synchronised to have clear strategies and procedures to deliver social housing at scale in inner city areas. / Thesis (M.Housing)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

This thesis is not to be viewed as the solution to the so called "housing problem" in South Africa, or even in Durban, nor does it propose a definitive plan for the Warwick Triangle. It is. rather, an attempt to examine the opportunities that exist for the creation of a viable urban residential quarter that is not only rich and whole in itself, but contributes in some way to the richness and wholeness of the city. In pursuit of this I have looked at city-building, and housing in particular as an important part of city-building, as a process that is infinite and have tried to propose a development that facilitates this process and harnesses the creativity and resources of individuals in the making of urban environments. It is important to note that my concerns are equally to do with the problem of creating urban housing that works and is appropriate, and that of making a positive contribution to the public realm. No urban development should be seen in isolation (it is that selfish attitude that has caused the barrenness of many urban centres) but as part of a growing organism, the city, where each organ has a part to play in the performance of the whole, and interdependence means that no part flourishes at the expense of another. The proposal that results from these concerns, is for a high-density multi-use development. It is predominantly a residential development but includes shops, workshops and community space. These provide amenity, employment opportunities and reduce the potential for isolation of individuals living in the development. A reassessment of the housing process to include user participation and a mixture of· ownership and rental opportunities ensures that residents can express their own identities as opposed to the facelessness of mass-housing schemes. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1990.

Informed by the sustainable livelihoods (SL) approach, this project investigates whether the impact of the KwaMathukuza housing project has gone beyond meeting the basic human need for shelter to have a broader positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of the occupants. In so doing, the research also considers if the housing project (and the relocation of people to these houses) had any negative effects on the livelihoods of the households. The main methods of data collection in the study are qualitative structured interviews with a sample of beneficiaries and semi-structured interviews with various key informants. The main findings are consistent with what has been found by studies on low-cost housing in South Africa. The following challenges remain: under-funding; and anti-poor policies such as the Elimination and Prevention of Re-emergence of Slums Act (EPRSA) of 2007; failure to deliver on targets set; poor quality of houses; top-down approaches that do not resolve problems; challenges in acquisition of suitable land; beneficiaries selling their houses without the knowledge of the Deeds Registrar; and delegating housing delivery to the private sector. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal. 1978.